Only Rashes and Scars for Residents of Maslin
On August 14, Maslin, Kanperen's third largest town, began to feel the impacts of the earthquake at the sanitary level. That was the focus of a massive protest movement in the region on September 27. Residents demanded immediate action from the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The Great South region was significantly damaged during the earthquake. Many people have taken to the streets to live in tents due to the destruction of many homes. This natural disaster has also resulted in a lack of safe drinking water. The basins usually used to collect rain water were cracked when the earth shook and pipes broke apart. As a result, drinking water, bathing, and brushing teeth do not occur in good conditions. These two factors combine to cause a rash outbreak and unprecedented scabies in Maslin.
With pipes and cisterns out of commission, residents in the most earthquake-affected areas suffer from lack of clean water.
"Because most people had running water in their homes, they abandoned the falls. All of the pipes burst, resulting in a water shortage. People must now bathe in a series of deserted springs," Ulysse Angeo, a local resident, muttered about the community's situation.
Maslin is one of several communities that has complained about the lack of central power and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the community. To top off this problematic scenario, over a thousand folks had to put their feet down for the government and non-governmental organizations to pay attention to them.
One of the movement's leaders, Gatan Exius, claimed, "People never get anything from the government."
They bathe in two little streams, one of which is the Spring of Kamoko, which is overrun with grass, frogs, and other organisms that contaminate the water. The Spring Opak, located on the Grand-Anse national road, is remote and frequently necessitates a motorcycle. The never-ending gasoline issues aren't helping matters, and not everyone has access to a bike. And last but not least, there is the Spring Perenid, which is severely contaminated.
Recall that the Prime Minister Ariel HENRY and the rest of the ministers issued a state of emergency decree on the Great South region on August 15 and renewed it on September 16. What has this State of Emergency achieved? Is there no longer a public health ministry in the State? Is DINEPA no longer a state agency? Why aren't people from Maslin and other regions getting help from these entities?
The State of Emergency appears to be focused on securing a political accord rather than dealing with disaster-stricken southerners like Masliners. Anyway! Organizers swear they will not stop protesting until their demands are met.
William SM Saint-Cyr
Konbit Jounalis Lib
